Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Prepare to be wowed by amazing exhibits, from a life-sized knitted Ferrari to an 8ft tall Transformer, a Mirror Maze to a Laser Race.

Earlier today, we paid Mr Ripley’s museum a little visit! That’s right, we were at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in London.

I’ve been to a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum elsewhere previously, but it was definitely nothing like this one! Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (London) is 6 floors, filled with of amazing artifacts and stories.

Some of the things in here seem too far fetched to be true. But it definitely keeps you entertained, as we sure as hell were kept entertained for well over two very funny hours.

What a blast!

The museum has so many far-fetched tales and exhibits that I felt like I was in some sort of crazy dream world.

Mr. Ripley definitely knows our world is full of crazy things, his museum does an incredible job of cataloging and displaying many of them.

Oh, and before I forget, the Mirror Maze was definitely a highlight, although after getting lost within seconds, I had to wonder for a little if I’d ever get out!

The Mirror Maze was my favorite place. At, first, I didn’t think this would be as fun as it was, (I’ve been to many other Mirror Mazes in other theme parks but this one was on a higher level!) and before we knew it, we realized we were having a blast!

Who would have thought a few mirrors witting fitted with modern technology could cause so much lack of direction (and fun)?

If you’re the kind of person who loves reading about two-headed beasts, marveling at chewing gum sculptures, dinosaur eggs and mini coopers covered in crystals, this museum is for you.

With more than 700 authentic artifacts and astonishing interactive exhibits spanning 6 floors, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London celebrates the weird, wonderful and bizarre in all its forms in the heart of the West End.

Step into the strange world of the legendary Robert Ripley, an intrepid world traveler, cartoonist, reporter, adventure and seeker of the most bizarre and unusual and rediscover wonder, at the largest Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in the world!

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Location

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is located at No. 1 Piccadilly Circus, situated in the heart of London’s West End.

The museum is adjacent to the legendary London Trocadero and only minutes away from Regent Street, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Soho, and just 10 minutes walking distance from Oxford Circus and Covent Garden.

So whether you whether you want to shop, grab some food, see a show, or just take in the sights and sounds of the city, Ripley’s is the perfect place to start your day out.

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Authentic and original exhibits at Ripley’s London

At Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in London, visitors can marvel at an unbelievable collection of jaw dropping artifacts from across the globe – many of which were collected by the ultimate explorer Robert Ripley himself.

With over 700 astonishing exhibits, galleries and interactive experiences that spans across 6 floors, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London celebrates the weird, wonderful and bizarre in all its forms, which are sure to excite, delight and thrill the whole family.

Want to see how will you measure up to the world’s tallest man? Or come face to face with our rare collection Amazonian shrunken heads? Will you dare to venture into Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze and defeat the Impossible LaseRace?

Visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and begin your adventure into the world of the unbelievable!

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The Life of Mr. Ripley

Robert Leroy Ripley, the man who coined the phrase “Believe It or Not”!

An icon in the world of cartoon art and the founder of an entertainment empire based on the premise that “truth is stranger than fiction”, Robert Ripley was not only an adventurer – he was a pioneer.

Details of Robert Ripley’s early life are somewhat hazy; however it is known that at the tender age of 12, his English teacher was the first to recognize his keen eye and artistic talents.

On January 2, 1913, Robert Ripley’s first illustration for The New York Globe and Commercial Advertiser was published. He assembled a series of small sketches entitled “Champs and Chumps” which included “A. Forrester of Toronto ran 100 yards backwards in 14 seconds”” and “S.D.See hopped 100 yards in 11 seconds”.

Disappointed with his work, Robert Ripley scratched the original title and inserted “Believe It or Not!” across the top. To his amazement, the cartoons were hailed by the public as revolutionary. They wanted more and Ripley became an overnight sensation.

Ripley was considered an eccentric character. He was terrified of using the telephone, fearing it would electrocute him. He even owned more than 100 cars though he never learned to drive.

Over all, Ripley was a most unlikely celebrity.

Robert Ripley’s life was dedicated to travel, which was an obsession. He reported on and experienced unbelievable things in exotic locales all over the world. The majority of his readers never experienced other cultures, so he expanded his daily cartoon subject matter from sports oddities to international Believe It or Not(s)!

Upon his return to New York in 1923, The New York Globe newspaper which employed him, folded. Ripley was approached soon after this to produce a Believe It or Not! book. More than 500,000 copies were sold and in the eighteen months following publication of the first Believe It or Not! book, Ripley made more than $1 million dollars.

He was the first cartoonist to become a millionaire and, in 1936, was voted the most popular man in America by newspaper readers across the country.

Robert Ripley displayed his collection of objects from all over the world to the public for the first time at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933 – attracting nearly 2 million visitors.

The 1930s and 1940s were the Golden Age of Robert Ripley’s life. People flocked to concert halls and theaters to hear his lectures and see his films. In 1948, he created a television pilot based on one of his radio shows.

The pilot episode was such a success it became the basis for one of the very first weekly television series.

In 1949, Robert Ripley had a heart attack and sadly died three days later.

He was just 55 years old.

However, Robert Ripley’s legacy lives on in the form of a collection of global attractions. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is the largest, fastest growing and most successful group of leisure attractions in the world!

There are now 33 Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums in operation with more opening every year.

The unique attractions feature exhibits that one must see to believe – exhibits that are so bizarre, so odd, so strange, so unbelievable that even the most worldly and knowledgeable guests will be awe-inspired!

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Over 7000 artifacts!

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London attractions showcases unbelievable exhibits and artifacts including a four-meter long model of Tower Bridge made out of 253,00 matchsticks, an animated T-Rex, and the world’s tallest man.

From a life-sized knitted Ferrari, made from some 12 miles of wool to a delicate painting of the “Last Supper” painted on the wing-span of a dragonfly, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London’s exhibits and interactive experiences are sure to provide a most unusual fun day out for all.

Over 700 artifacts are housed in Ripley’s crazy collection of galleries – with unusual art, underwater wonders, an upside down room, a miniatures gallery, and even a dungeon, at Ripley’s, there’s every unusual thing you can imagine (and plenty more you can’t!).

Step into a world full of wonder and let your adventure begin at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

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Marvelous Mirror Maze

Will you dare to venture into Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze?

Made from a series of columns and arches surrounded by hundreds of mirrored reflections in every direction, this “infinity effect” maze gives the illusion of continuing hallways, when in fact you are at a dead end!

See hundreds of reflections of yourself in every direction.

The Ripley’s Mirror Maze challenge is to “get lost” and find your way out again; backwards or forwards, it’s never the same experience twice!

Come along and challenge yourself and….enter if you dare!

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Black Hole

Will the Black Jole leave you in a Spin?

This rotating vortex tunnel is truly mind-boggling, guaranteed to put your senses to the test.

As you enter the twisting and turning tunnel you won’t believe your eyes as the walkway appears to move beneath you.

Can you beat the illusion or will you be clinging on for balance?

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The Lizardman

Erik Sprague is better known as The Lizardman, a freak show and sideshow performer, best known for his body modification, including his sharpened teeth, full-body tattoo of green scales, bifurcated tongue, sub-dermal implants and recently, green-inked lips.

The Lizardman makes his living as a freak, performing before audiences all over the world. He also makes numerous paid television and public appearances. He has mastered and regularly performs many classic sideshow acts such as the Human Blockhead, Fire Eating and Breathing, Sword Swallowing, the Bed of Nails, the Human Dartboard, and the Insectivore.

And here, you can see the one thing we have in common! 😉

He also participates in many public and private flesh hook suspension groups and events, and is highly involved in the body modification community.

He also writes articles on the Body Modification E-zine. His rock band, LIZARD SKYNYRD, released an album in late 2010, they performed in many tours and stages across the world.

A special thanks to EXPEDIA PACKAGESfor making such incredible journeys possible!

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One thought on “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”

Chuonie

Wow!!! This is a pretty incrediable place!! I too will be lost in the maze as well! That black hole looks cool!! I like that big chair and the robotic figure!! I would like to check out those dinosaure exihits too! Sounds like a fun place to go with friends!! Thanks for this post!! 🙂 🙂 🙂